Felicity's Folly by Marilyn Clay

Author:Marilyn Clay [Marilyn Clay]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Nov. Rom
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

"If you'll pardon me for saying so, madam, I don't exactly chime in with his lordship's theory,” Philips said solemnly. “The gentleman is quite knowledgeable, but for my part, I am not inclined to believe in things occultish."

"And yet,” Felicity countered, addressing the manservant in a tone that was at once both irritated and accusing, “I clearly recall you being the first to call the phantom rider that overtook Lord Maitland's carriage that night the headless horseman. I distinctly heard you say the headless horseman from where you stood in the shadows in his lordship's bedchamber."

Felicity had finally managed a moment alone with her butler late that evening, after everyone else in the house, including the earl, had retired for the night. She watched Philips closely as he busied himself trimming the candles in the small chandelier that hung from the ceiling in the center of the deserted drawing room.

As he walked past Felicity, the tall man said, “Indeed, I did say that, madam. Though truth to tell, at the time I suspected the gentleman was ... well, a bit light in the upper story. He being fresh from the battlefield and all."

After concluding his business with the candles in the chandelier, Philips carefully returned it to its original position. “I daresay I am as baffled to account for the mischief as you, madam, but to credit it to ghostly doings seems a bit wide of the mark to me."

"I quite agree with you, Philips,” Felicity said on a sigh, glad at last to find someone who appeared as sensible and reasonable as herself. “Especially when one takes into account that nothing untoward happened all those weeks that only you and I were on the premises. It seems far more likely to me that someone, or perhaps two someones, are intent upon destroying the Arbor grounds. Though I cannot think why and I cannot think who."

Making his way toward the sputtering flames of a pair of candles still clinging to life in the wall sconce, Philips shook his head. “Nor can I, madam."

Felicity sighed afresh. “None of it makes a jot of sense to me.” She stepped to the sofa to absently fluff a cushion, then to return a mislaid book to the new bookstand.

His back to his employer, Philips asked, “Have you considered the possibility that someone might be ... digging for buried treasure?"

Felicity's head jerked up. “Why, what a perfectly absurd notion that is, Philips; as excessively foolish as the idea of a ghost. Besides, if that were the case, the treasure would have been found years ago when my hus—that is, when the property belonged to the Newbury's."

As he headed for the hall, Philips shrugged massive shoulders. “But it would explain the digging, madam."

Felicity followed the powerfully built butler. Walking straight to the front door, she firmly latched it, then stood tapping her chin with a slim finger. “I wonder what Lord Maitland would say to that theory?"

"Perhaps I could inquire of my cousin in Sussex,” Philips offered.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.